Ferrari SF90 Stradale
2019-2024
The SF90 Stradale represents Ferrari's bold leap into electrification without sacrificing their core DNA of performance and emotion. It's a technological tour de force that delivers hypercar performance with surprising refinement and even electric-only driving capability for short distances.
Quick Take
Ferrari's first plug-in hybrid supercar combines a twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors for nearly 1000 horsepower. It represents Ferrari's entry into electrification while maintaining their racing DNA and emotional connection.
Best For
Key Strength
Hybrid Powerhouse
Watch For
Complexity Concerns
The Story
Heritage & Legacy
Named after Ferrari's 1990 Formula 1 championship-winning car, the SF90 carries forward 90 years of racing heritage into the hybrid era. It builds upon Ferrari's Formula 1 hybrid experience, translating cutting-edge motorsport technology into a road car.
Design Philosophy
The SF90's design is purely functional, with every line and surface optimized for aerodynamic efficiency and cooling. The aggressive, angular bodywork incorporates active aerodynamics and represents a departure from traditional Ferrari curves toward a more futuristic aesthetic.
The Driving Experience
Engine Character
The twin-turbo V8 delivers instant, explosive power enhanced by electric motors that eliminate any hint of turbo lag. The hybrid system provides seamless torque fill and allows for eerily quiet electric operation, creating a Jekyll and Hyde personality between serenity and savagery.
Chassis Dynamics
All-wheel drive provides unprecedented traction and stability for a Ferrari, while advanced torque vectoring and electronic systems create handling that's both approachable and devastatingly quick. The chassis balances supercar drama with surprising daily usability.
Sound Signature
The twin-turbo V8 produces a distinctive, more muted roar than naturally aspirated Ferraris, with electric motors adding an otherworldly whine under acceleration.
Strengths & Tradeoffs
Defining Strengths
The SF90's 4.0L twin-turbo V8 plus three electric motors deliver 986hp with zero turbo lag. The instant electric torque fill creates seamless acceleration that redefines what's possible in a street-legal Ferrari.
Active aerodynamics, torque vectoring, and advanced traction control systems borrowed from Formula 1 create unprecedented track capability. The car actively manages power delivery and aerodynamics to optimize performance in real-time.
Honest Tradeoffs
The sophisticated hybrid drivetrain introduces multiple failure points and requires specialized service knowledge. Long-term reliability remains questionable given the system's complexity and relative newness.
The SF90's overwhelming capability can feel antiseptic compared to naturally aspirated Ferraris. The electronics manage so much of the driving experience that it sometimes lacks the raw, emotional connection enthusiasts expect.
Ideal Owner
Tech-savvy Ferrari enthusiasts who want cutting-edge performance and aren't afraid of complexity. Perfect for collectors seeking Ferrari's first hybrid flagship.